Acknowledgement in Research

Acknowledgement in research refers to a section at the beginning of a research paper, thesis or dissertation where the author acknowledges individuals, organizations, or institutions that have contributed to the research project in some way but are not authors or co-authors of the paper.

The acknowledgement section is usually placed after the abstract and before the table of contents. Its purpose is to express gratitude, appreciation, and recognition to those who have provided support, guidance, or resources during the research process. This may include individuals who have provided technical assistance, financial support, mentorship, or access to research materials or data.

Acknowledgements are important because they help to acknowledge the intellectual and practical contributions of others and demonstrate your gratitude and appreciation to them. It is also a way to build relationships and networks, as well as to show professional courtesy.

It is important to note that acknowledgement is different from authorship. The acknowledgement section is not meant to recognize individuals who have contributed substantially to the research project and should not be used as a substitute for authorship. Authorship should be determined based on the guidelines of the academic institution or the publishing journal.

Who to acknowledge

As mentioned earlier, the acknowledgement section is where you can thank individuals, organizations, or institutions that have provided support, guidance, or resources during the research process. This may include supervisors, mentors, colleagues, funders, technical assistants, librarians, and family members or friends who have provided emotional support.

What to include

In the acknowledgement section, you can include a brief statement or paragraph expressing your gratitude and appreciation to those you want to acknowledge. You can also mention the specific contributions they made to the research project, such as providing funding, access to resources, technical assistance, or mentorship.

Tone and style

The tone and style of the acknowledgement section should be professional and respectful. It is important to use appropriate language and avoid being overly personal or informal. The acknowledgement section should also be concise and to the point, without being too brief or too detailed.

Placement

The acknowledgement section is usually placed after the abstract and before the table of contents. However, some academic institutions or publishing journals may have specific guidelines regarding the placement and formatting of the acknowledgement section, so it is important to follow these guidelines.

Sample of Acknowledgement in Research

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable support and assistance in the completion of this research project:

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my supervisor, [Name], for his/her guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the entire research process. His/her insights and feedback have been instrumental in shaping the direction and scope of this study.

I would also like to thank the members of my research committee, [Name] and [Name], for their valuable feedback and constructive criticism, which helped me to refine and improve the quality of this research.

I am also grateful to [Name], [Name], and [Name] for their assistance with data collection and analysis, without which this research would not have been possible.

In addition, I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my family and friends, who have provided me with emotional and moral support throughout this challenging journey.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the [Name of Institution] for providing the resources and facilities necessary to carry out this research.

Thank you all for your invaluable contributions to this project.

The acknowledgement section is an important part of a research paper, thesis or dissertation as it allows the author to recognize and appreciate the contributions of others. It also demonstrates the author's professionalism and gratitude for the support and guidance received during the research process.

In summary, the acknowledgement section is a way to express gratitude and appreciation to those who have contributed to the research project in some way. It is an important part of a research paper, thesis or dissertation, and should be written in a professional and respectful tone.